African Leaders Launch the African School of Governance (ASG).
The African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) has introduced the African School of Governance (ASG), a new graduate school aimed at offering high-quality research, engagement, and public policy education.
The initiative brings together leading African figures to address the diverse leadership needs of the continent.
ASG’s mission is to tackle Africa’s urgent governance challenges by equipping future leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective leadership. This initiative is a transformative step designed to improve leadership across Africa.
The ASG initiative was co-founded by Rwandan President H.E. Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn. These leaders, along with other prominent African figures, academics, and philanthropists, collaborated to enhance governance across the continent.
Supported by the Mastercard Foundation under its Young Africa Works strategy, ASG aims to create opportunities for 30 million young Africans, of which 70 percent are women, to access meaningful work by 2030.
Governance Structure and Leadership
ASG will be governed by an independent board chaired by Makhtar Diop, the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and former Finance and Economy Minister of Senegal.
Other board members include Donald Kaberuka (former President of the African Development Bank), Hajer Gueldich (University of Carthage), Kishore Mahbubani (former Dean at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore), and Francis Gatare (CEO of the Rwanda Development Board).
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Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a distinguished scholar and former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has been appointed as ASG’s inaugural President by the ASG Foundation.
His leadership is expected to drive the institution’s vision of indigenous solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges while offering world-class education in governance and public policy.
During the launch, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn remarked that Africa is at a pivotal moment where an institution reflecting its needs and aspirations is essential.
The African School of Governance combines Africa’s uniqueness with global best practices to nurture purpose-driven leaders capable of addressing the continent’s challenges and opportunities.
ASG’s establishment marks more than just the creation of an educational institution; it represents a move toward sustainable African leadership.
Africa’s fast-growing economy, rising global influence, and evolving governance structures present policymakers with complex challenges, from post-pandemic recovery to climate adaptation.
ASG aims to develop leaders who can address these governance issues, promote sustainable development, and foster a new leadership mindset.
Academic Programs and Research Centers
ASG offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, including the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) for senior executives and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) for mid-career professionals.
In addition, customized executive courses will be available to enhance leadership skills, with programs such as the Young Leaders Program (YLP) and Senior Leadership Fellowship (SLF) supporting high-potential undergraduates and seasoned professionals nearing the end of their careers.
A key differentiator of ASG is its integration of African historical, political, and socioeconomic contexts into the curriculum, which grounds students in African realities while equipping them with global best practices.
Beyond education, ASG will contribute to governance through its specialized research centers. These include:
- The African History and Leadership Center
- The Trade and Regional Integration Center
- The Center for Technology and Effective Delivery
- The Homegrown Innovations in Policy and Governance Center
These research hubs aim to generate evidence-based solutions to African governance challenges, helping policymakers craft effective policies and strategies.
ASG will actively engage with governments, civil society, and the private sector to turn research into actionable policies through policy laboratories, incubators, and partnerships.
Global Leadership and Influence
Professor Moghalu brings over 17 years of high-level experience from the United Nations and academia, including teaching at Harvard, Oxford, and Tufts University.
He is also the author of several publications, including the notable Emerging Africa: How the World Economy’s “Last Frontier” Can Prosper and Matter.
Makhtar Diop, Chair of ASG’s Board, highlighted Moghalu’s strong leadership in national and international policymaking, expressing confidence in his ability to make ASG a groundbreaking institution that will develop leaders equipped to tackle Africa’s 21st-century challenges.
Moghalu will focus on shaping ASG’s academic vision, recruiting top-tier faculty, and ensuring ASG becomes a hub for intellectual and policy innovation.
In his remarks, Moghalu expressed his shared vision of a transformed Africa led by competent governance and emphasized his honor in leading ASG’s efforts toward that goal.
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ASG’s development has been bolstered by strong alliances with leading organizations such as the Mastercard Foundation and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. These partnerships have helped shape ASG into a pan-African initiative with global reach.
Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, ASG aims to foster cross-border leadership to ensure African voices are not only heard but lead discussions on global governance. This announcement marks a significant milestone in African governance, as the collective efforts of ASG’s founders and partners pave the way for the continent’s future leaders.
African Leaders Launch the African School of Governance (ASG).
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